Tom Izzo Has Started 32nd Season at Michigan State
The veteran head coach leads a revamped roster that emphasizes high school recruiting over transfer portal additions.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Basketball
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Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has officially entered his 32nd season at the helm of the basketball program. The team is currently building chemistry with a roster featuring 12 scholarship players and a nationally recognized recruiting class.
Why it matters
Izzo continues to prioritize long-term player development through high school recruitment rather than relying on the transfer portal. This strategy allows the coaching staff to focus on the academic and personal growth of athletes over their four-year tenure.
The Spartans return three starters and hold a No. 7 national ranking for their current recruiting class, which follows a No. 5 ranking in 2023. The team added only one transfer player to the roster this season.
The players
Tom Izzo
He is the long-tenured head coach of the Michigan State University basketball team.
Coen Carr
He is one of the designated team captains for the current Michigan State basketball roster.
Jeremy Fears Jr.
He serves as a team captain for the Spartans during the current basketball season.
Anton Bonke
He is a new addition to the basketball program after transferring from Charlotte.
Jaxon Kohler
He is a former Michigan State player who transferred to play for BYU in August 2026.
The details
Following the loss of five players from last year, the team is integrating new talent including transfer Anton Bonke. Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears Jr. have been named team captains to lead the squad through the upcoming campaign.
Timeline
August 2026 marked the departure of Jaxon Kohler to BYU.
September 2026 signaled the beginning of Tom Izzo's 32nd season.
October 2, 2026, is the date of the first exhibition game against Incarnate Word.
Season Trajectory
Michigan State's decision to favor high school recruits over the transfer portal bucking league-wide trends places the team in a unique competitive position. This approach will determine if the squad can maintain stability and depth throughout the season despite the loss of five veteran players.
With 10 players currently competing for rotation spots, Izzo plans to utilize a deeper bench than in previous seasons. This rotation expansion suggests increased variability in nightly box scores and expanded playing time opportunities for younger roster members.
The takeaway
Izzo's commitment to building a roster through long-term recruitment highlights a focus on team culture over immediate roster turnover. Fans should watch how the expanded rotation impacts game-to-game performance as the squad adjusts to its new composition.
What happens next
The Spartans are scheduled to play their first exhibition game against Incarnate Word on October 2, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more updates on the Basketball program at Michigan State.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The State News.
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